Capítulo 456: Chapter 456 Lively
The first day, after everything at home was tidied up, they lit the stove and had a meal, planning to greet the neighbors and prepare for the New Year’s Eve dinner the next day.
Yang PeiMin brought out the new clothes for the family, and everyone changed from head to toe.
The most eye-catching was still Lele, dressed as a child making New Year’s visits, wearing a tiger hat and red cotton jacket and pants, with his chubby little face extremely adorable.
Having a child meant that people were more likely to engage in lengthy conversations.
It seemed that distance made the heart grow fonder, and Yang PeiMin felt quite popular. Although it had been long since they had seen each other, everyone had changed more or less, mostly for the better, whether in terms of awareness or living conditions. She had also met a few new Military Wives, from the city and the countryside alike, and with her child, she seemed to blend in better with the atmosphere.
The enthusiastic and free Military Wives had gone early to the canteen and the hall to help set up the venue.
Shen Yiyue and her sister joined in the fun, while the elder Shens were taken around the military base by Yiguang. Yang PeiMin, who was watching the children, naturally stayed at home. Like other Military Wives with children, she didn’t want to visit others’ homes. Instead, she moved the furniture in her own house to make space, laid down mats and the blanket Lele usually played on, allowing the children under two to play on the floor. She placed stoves at the kitchen and room doors to prevent the children from getting too close and surrounded them with wooden chairs. This arrangement made it much warmer than outside.
Several familiar families came over to sit and chat.
Her house was spacious and clean, making it a pleasant place for gatherings. The children were unwilling to leave while playing with Lele’s toys on the floor. Lele, now six months old and able to sit by leaning or supporting himself with his hands, watched the other children intently. He had sprouted two teeth and would drool with joy when he laughed. Yang PeiMin would watch him happily, placing a small bib around his neck and changing it whenever it got too wet.
Her friendship with Luo Dahua had grown deeper. Even though Dahua didn’t live nearby, they visited each other often, frequently sharing delicious things they had made. At this time, Luo Dahua also brought her two daughters over to play.
Yang PeiMin brought out some peanuts, sunflower seeds, and candies to entertain everyone.
“Look at this, coming here is such a treat, there’s fun, food, and it’s warm. I don’t even want to leave my seat,” Sister-in-law Zhang said with a laugh.
Yang PeiMin also smiled, “In that case, Sister, if you don’t mind, you could help me watch the door this evening.”
“Oh, can’t say that’s a bad deal.”
They joked and laughed for a while, warming up the atmosphere.
“Your Lele is so well-raised, all plump and white, and looks so smart.”
Yang Peimin also quietly sized up a few of the children playing together and indeed felt that her own child was raised best. Lele wasn’t exactly chubby; her cheeks were plump and her skin was fair. She was always smiling. Of course, there was also that feeling that one’s own child is always the best.
“His grandma is looking after him, she’s very detailed.”
“His grandma is looking after him? So now your mother-in-law has come over to help with the child? Oh my, that’s great. It’s really rare considering the distance. Won’t her own home be too busy? Do her other sons and daughters have any objections?”
“She’s from a family with an only child, who even needs anyone else’s consent or approval? Everything regarding him…”
“That’s true, you’re really fortunate…”
While they were talking, a bustling noise came from outside. A curious Military Wife went out to take a look, then came back and said, “The house next door, Sister-in-law Wen invited people over for tea. I saw some from the Ma Family and the Hu Family heading there.”
Hearing this, everyone was surprised. “Speaking of which, Mr. Wen has moved here for over a month now. Normally, we all greet each other and chat a bit. Last week, my eldest daughter needed a graduation picture for the school as a memento. I saw that Mr. Wen had a beautiful skirt, so I asked to borrow it as a pattern to make one ourselves—can’t afford to buy such clothes. She was very forthcoming, brought it down that evening. We don’t have much, just made some small bottles of dried fish that we gave her one to take back. At first, she didn’t want to take it, but seeing we were embarrassed, she took it… Afterwards, we met a few more times, casually chatting about things in the compound. Wen Qing is very polite, highly aware and principled, not at all pretentious… She also brought some dried fruits from her hometown, and I brought her a piece of fabric to make clothes for our children… Thinking about it, we’ve known each other for a while, but I’ve never been inside her room…”
The speaker was Zhang Yonggui, the battalion commander’s wife. Among the Military Wives present, she was considered an old military wife. Her eldest daughter, whom she mentioned earlier, was also nearly high school age.
“Oh, I can tell, Sister, you just want to check out her house’s furniture, don’t you? Really, now that her door is open for guests, why not take a look?” Gong Chunhua, the wife of a newly transferred company commander, chuckled. Her husband had taken over Gao Hong’s position, and their quarters were the previous occupants’, just downstairs. And since Shen Yiguang was his direct superior, Yang Peimin’s bustling scene naturally drew her up here too.
Gong Chunhua was about thirty years old, bold and straightforward, good-humored and quick-witted, and had adapted well with the other Military Wives in just half a year.
Zhang Yonggui laughed, then stood up, “Alright, I’ll go take a look. Don’t take my spot though; I’ll be back in no time. Anyone else want to come with me? No clue how Mr. Wen might have set up her home, see if it’s as cozy and tidy as our Sister Min’s.”
Immediately, two Military Wives rose and laughed, saying they’d take a quick look.
Leaving Luo Dahua, Gong Chunhua, and a Red Army wife behind, Gong Chunhua chuckled, “I’ll stay here; it’s too crowded over there, I’m afraid. You guys tell me about it when you come back and help me look after the kids.”
After they left, Luo Dahua shook her head with a smile, giving Yang Peimin a glance.
Yang Peimin smiled and shook her head as well. Sometimes, she herself was a bit nosy, liking to visit other people’s homes, which she supposed was quite natural. She didn’t find anything wrong with it.
Luo Dahua laughed, “I bet the people over there think the same way. With so many people, they might just end up seeing heads instead.” She hadn’t gone because she knew about the issues between Yang Peimin and Wen Qing, and didn’t want to engage in such bothersome actions.
Zhang Yonggui glanced at them, also smiling, “Exactly, that’s just what I thought.”